Eneloop

Eneloop (Japanese: エネループ, Hepburn: Enerūpu) is a brand of 1.2-volt low self-discharge nickel–metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries and accessories developed by Sanyo (later acquired by Panasonic), introduced in 2005.[1]

Eneloop logo
Panasonic's fourth-generation Eneloop batteries, in AA and AAA sizes
Panasonic Eneloop Smart & Quick Charger BQ-CC55
Sanyo Eneloop battery charger

Eneloop cells lose their charge much more slowly than the 0.5–4% per day loss by older-technology NiMH batteries, retaining about 85% of their charge for a year after charging.[2] This allows them to be sold precharged and ready for use, unlike older types.

Because they can replace a large number of alkaline batteries over their life cycle, they are marketed as being eco-friendly.

Sanyo was acquired by Panasonic in 2009. In exchange for the US FTC's approval of the takeover, Panasonic agreed to sell Sanyo's portable NiMH battery business to Fujitsu subsidiary FDK in order to preserve competition,[3] and later did so.[4][3]

Following this, Panasonic retained the "Eneloop" trademark, but continued to source the batteries themselves from the same former-Sanyo factories (now owned by FDK).[5][6]

Variant description

Eneloop
A newer Panasonic Eneloop (top) and older Sanyo AA Eneloop batteries

1st generation

The original Eneloop batteries were introduced in AA and AAA size, with capacities of 2,000 mAh and 800 mAh. They could be recharged 1,000 times and held up to 75% of their charge after one year. The part numbers for first generation cells are HR-3UTG (AA) and HR-4UTG (AAA).

2nd generation

The second generation of Eneloop AA and AAA batteries was introduced in 2010. It endured 1,500 recharge cycles and held 85% of the charge after one year and 75% after three years.[7] The part numbers for second generation cells are HR-3UTGA (AA) and HR-4UTGA (AAA).

Sanyo introduced C- and D-sized Eneloop batteries with a minimum capacity of 2,700 mAh and 3,000 mAh respectively in 2009, along with a new universal charger.[8] As these sizes were only available in Japan and Singapore, Sanyo offered adapter sleeves to fit AA batteries in devices that take C or D batteries.

3rd generation
Eneloop 5th anniversary special glitter edition pack

In October 2011 the batteries were again improved to retain up to 90% of their capacity after one year, 80% after three years and 70% after five years. The batteries can be recharged up to 1,800 times, rather than the 1,500 times of the previous revision. The part numbers for third generation cells are HR-3UTGB (AA) and HR-4UTGB (AAA). At the same time, the C- and D-sized Eneloop batteries' stated minimum capacities were increased to 3,000 mAh and 5,700 mAh respectively. They were available in Japan from November 2011.[9]

European models went on sale from the beginning of October 2012.[10]

4th generation

Following the acquisition of Sanyo by Panasonic, a fourth generation was introduced in April 2013. The number of charges per cell was increased from 1800 to 2100 cycles for both AA (BK-3MCC) and AAA (BK-4MCC) models.[2] In some countries the batteries are branded as Panasonic.

Eneloop Lite

1st generation

The Eneloop Lite line was released in Japan in June 2010. They addressed two downsides of alkaline and other NiMH batteries: the initial cost and the long charging time—both achieved by reducing the capacity of the battery. The batteries find suitable applications in low-drain devices such as remote control devices and alarms, where high capacity is not an issue. The AAs have 1,000 mAh of capacity, while the AAAs have 600 mAh. Due to reduction of the capacity compared to the regular Eneloop cells, the charging time is halved for the AA and reduced by 25% for the AAA. On the other hand, they can be recharged 3,000 times. The reduction in capacity also reduced the production cost, which decreased the initial investment for rechargeable batteries. They also weigh 30% less. The product numbers are HR-3UQ (AA) and HR-4UQ (AAA).[11]

2nd generation

Along with the upgrade of the regular Eneloop cells in April 2013, the Lite version was also upgraded. According to Panasonic, it can now be recharged up to 3,000 times (life cycles)[12] (model numbers BK-3LCC for the AA and BK-4LCC for the AAA battery). The upgraded batteries also retain 90% of the charge after one year like the regular Eneloop cells.

Eneloop Pro (Eneloop XX)
Sanyo Eneloop XX

1st generation

The Eneloop Pro (or XX powered by Eneloop Technology in the US, Canada, and Europe) series was introduced in 2011. At that time, no AAA version was produced.[13] They have a higher capacity than regular Eneloop cells, 2,500 mAh (min. 2,400 mAh) for AA. However, they retain only 75% of their initial charge after one year, and can only be recharged 500 times. The product numbers are HR-3UWX (AA) and HR-3UWXA (AA).[14]

2nd generation

In January 2013, Sanyo announced the second generation of Eneloop XX (model HR-3UWXB, or Panasonic BK-3HCC), along with a slight renaming. Eneloop Pro appears instead of the "Eneloop XX" brand in batteries. The new generation has a 50 mAh higher capacity (2,550 mAh nominal, 2,450 mAh minimum capacity), and the self-discharge rate was decreased (i.e. holds 85% up to one year).[15] They also introduced a AAA version of the Eneloop XX (model HR-4UWXB) boasting a nominal capacity of 950 mAh (900 mAh minimum).[16] After the acquisition by Panasonic, they were renamed Eneloop Pro (model BK-4HCC) in Europe (BK-4HCCE) and the Americas (BK-4HCCA).[2]

3rd generation

In October 2015, Panasonic remodeled Eneloop Pro (BK-3HCD/BK-4HCD). The minimum capacity of the battery has been increased, the AA type has increased by 50 mAh to 2500 mAh, the AAA type has increased by 30 mAh to 930 mAh.

Eneloop Plus

Eneloop Plus cells have a PTC thermistor built-in that cuts the power in case of overheating. This makes them especially suitable for toys and devices that generate an increased amount of heat. Other specifications are identical to the second-generation Eneloop batteries. The product number is HR-3UPT (AA), and the battery was released in Japan in December 2011.[14]

Variant comparison tables

AA size
Variant Model number prefix Release date Capacity (mAh) Max. cycles Est. lifetime cap. (Wh) Charge retention
Min. Typ. After 1 day After 1 year After 2 years After 3 years After 5 years
Ordinary NiMH battery (Sanyo NiMH 2700) HR-3UG Unknown 2,500 2,700 1,000 Unknown 80% 50% 0% 0% 0%
Eneloop 1st generation[17] HR-3UTG November 2005 1,900 2,000 1,000 2,400 Unknown 80% Unknown Unknown Unknown
Eneloop 2nd generation HR-3UTGA May 2010 1,900 2,000 1,500 3,600 Unknown 85% 80% 75% Unknown
Eneloop 3rd generation HR-3UTGB November 2011 1,900 2,000 1,800 4,320 Unknown 90% 80% 80% 70%
Eneloop 4th generation BK-3MCC (BK-3MCCE) April 2013 1,900 2,000 2,100 5,040 Unknown 90%[18] Unknown 80%[18] 70%[18]
Eneloop Lite 1st generation[19] HR-3UQ June 2010 950 1,000 2,000 2,400 Unknown 85% 80% 75% Unknown
Eneloop Lite 2nd generation BK-3LCC April 2013 950 1,000 3,000 3,600 Unknown 90% 80% 70%[12] 65%[2]
Eneloop Pro 1st generation[20][21] HR-3UWX
HR-3UWXA		 July 2011
May 2012		 2,400 2,500 500 1,500 Unknown 75% Unknown Unknown Unknown
Eneloop Pro 2nd generation[22] HR-3UWXB October 2012 2,450 2,550 500 1,530 Unknown 85% Unknown Unknown Unknown
Panasonic Eneloop Pro BK-3HCC April 2013 2,450 2,550 500 1,530 Unknown 85%[2] Unknown Unknown Unknown
Panasonic Eneloop Pro BK-3HCD October 2015 2,500 2,600 500 1,530 Unknown 85% Unknown Unknown Unknown

AAA size
Variant Model number prefix Release date Capacity (mAh) Max. cycles Est. lifetime cap. (Wh) Charge retention
Min. Typ. After 1 day After 1 year After 2 years After 3 years After 5 years
Ordinary NiMH battery (Sanyo NiMH 1000) HR-4U Unknown 930 1,000 Unknown Unknown 80% 50% 0% 0% 0%
Eneloop 1st generation HR-4UTG November 2005 750 800 1,000 960 Unknown 80% Unknown Unknown Unknown
Eneloop 2nd generation HR-4UTGA May 2010 750 800 1,500 1,440 Unknown 85% 80% 75% Unknown
Eneloop 3rd generation HR-4UTGB November 2011 750 800 1,800 1,728 Unknown 90% 80% 80% 70%
Eneloop 4th generation BK-4MCC (BK-4MCCE) April 2013 750 800 2,100 2,016 Unknown 90%[23] Unknown 80%[23] 75%[23]
Eneloop Lite 1st generation[24] HR-4UQ June 2010 500 600 2,000 1,440 Unknown 85% 80% 75% Unknown
Eneloop Lite 2nd generation BK-4LCC April 2013 500 600 3,000 2,160 Unknown 90% 80% 70%[12] 65%[2]
Eneloop Pro 2nd generation[16][25] HR-4UWXB October 2012 900 950 500 570 Unknown 85% Unknown Unknown Unknown
Panasonic Eneloop Pro BK-4HCC April 2013 900 950 500 570 Unknown 85%[2] Unknown Unknown Unknown
Panasonic Eneloop Pro XX BK-4HCD October 2015 930 950 500 570 Unknown 85%[2] Unknown Unknown Unknown

References
  1. "What's Eneloop?". Panasonic-Eneloop.eu. Panasonic. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  2. "Product Lineup". Panasonic.net. Panasonic. Archived from the original on 29 March 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  3. Tarr, Greg (24 November 2009). "Panasonic/Sanyo To Divest NiMH Battery Operations To FDK". Twice. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  4. "Announcement of basic agreement concerning the transfer of shares of SANYO Energy Twicell Co., Ltd. and SANYO Energy Tottori Co., Ltd. to FDK Corporation" (PDF). 28 October 2009.
  5. "Panasonic Eneloop vs IKEA LADDA – Are They The Same?". The SLR Lounge. The original Eneloop Batteries were designed and developed by a [Sanyo-owned] battery factory. [In 2009] Panasonic bought the Eneloop brand, while Fujitsu, as part of its FDK subsidiary, owned the factory and all the IP associated with the manufacture of [low self-discharge] batteries
  6. "History of Eneloop". Eneloop 101. Archived from the original on 13 January 2020. Sanyo Energy Twicell Co., Ltd. and Sanyo Energy Tottori Co., Ltd. shares were transferred from Sanyo Electric, and renamed [..] FDK Twicell Corporation and FDK Tottori Co. Ltd. Panasonic kept buying their eneloop batteries from this company.
  7. Sanyo Announces New "eneloop" Rechargeable Batteries – Industry No. 1 Rechargeable Batteries – Rechargeable up to "Approx. 1,500 times", Factory Pre-charged using Solar Power.
  8. Sanyo Energy Unveils New Eco-Friendly Products To The Singapore Market.
  9. "Sanyo New Eneloop Batteries Remains Capacity Longer – Fully-recharged new eneloop keeps approx. 70% power after 5 years of storage" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  10. Sanyo introduces new eneloop with 1800 life cycles to European market – Longer capacity with added life span: new eneloop keeps up to 70% of power after 5 years of storage.
  11. "Sanyo Adds "Eneloop Lite" to "Eneloop" Rechargeable Battery Family" (PDF). Sanyo Electric Co. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  12. "Eneloop Lite". Panasonic-Eneloop.eu. Panasonic. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2015.
  13. "Overview: All Eneloop batteries 2005–2018".
  14. "Sanyo's Eneloop Series Expands with New-Type Batteries" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  15. New Eneloop XX with Higher Capacity and Improved Low Self-Discharge.
  16. "Sanyo's Eneloop Lite Datasheet" (PDF). Sanyo Electric Co. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  17. "Sanyo Presents 'Eneloop': A New Battery in place of Dry Cell Battery for the 21st Century" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  18. "AA 4-Pack". Panasonic.net. Sanyo. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  19. "Sanyo's Eneloop Lite datasheet" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  20. "Sanyo's Eneloop Series Expands with New-Type Batteries" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  21. "Announcement HR-3UWXA" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  22. "Eneloop Pro 2012 models" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  23. "AAA 4-Pack". Panasonic.net. Sanyo. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  24. "Sanyo's Eneloop Lite datasheet" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  25. "Eneloop Pro 2012 models" (PDF). Sanyo. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 April 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
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